Kent Minchew, director of adult probation for the district, said sex offenders from Howard, Martin and Glasscock counties will gather for a probation meeting at the Howard County Courthouse during traditional trick-or-treat hours.

“Most of these people are eager to comply with the meeting because it not only keeps the public safe, it keeps them safe as well,” said Minchew. “They’re all for it because they can’t be accused of violating their probation because we know where they are and what they’re doing.”

“If they don’t attend, I alert the Big Spring Police Department or the Howard County Sheriff’s Office and have them picked up. If they don’t have an officer available, then I’ll drive to their home and pick them up. Either way, they have to attend.”

Minchew said the meeting consists of counseling, as well as a presentation by Victim Services, and marks the fourth consecutive year the probation office has held the mandatory gathering, which was based on a similar program used in San Angelo.

“In the past, we would just drive to their homes and make sure their porch lights were off and they weren’t doing anything to encourage trick-or-treaters,” said Minchew. “It is much easier just to have them all at one central location.”

The District Adult Probation Office won’t be the only local agency looking out for children this Halloween.

“Officers from the street crimes division of the Big Spring Police Department and those out on patrol will be checking on the homes of all convicted sex offenders throughout the evening,” said BSPD Lt. Terry Chamness. “Not just the ones that are still on probation. Unfortunately, if they aren’t on probation anymore, all we can really do is warn the children and strongly discourage the offenders.”

Chamness said the best weapon parents and area residents have against sexual predators is information.

“There is a list of the sexual offenders in Big Spring on the BSPD Web site, located at www.bigspringpd.net as well as a link to the DPS Web site, which also has a list,” said Chamness. “That’s the best way for people to protect themselves and their children in a situation like this.”

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it